The Pittsburgh Pirates’ extra-inning loss Tuesday night at St. Louis, in which the club’s relievers surrendered three home runs to the Cardinals, was the latest installment of persistent bullpen woes.
Ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday at Busch Stadium, the Pirates recalled right-hander Wilber Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis while optioning fellow righty Isaac Mattson to the Indians.
“There’s opportunity,” manager Don Kelly said Tuesday after the Pirates’ 9-6 loss in 10 innings to the Cardinals. “There’s going to be opportunities for guys, guys already on the team, externally, as well. Just looking for guys to step up and claim that opportunity.”
Dotel, 23, is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Pirates’ No. 11 overall prospect.
In the minor leagues, including this season, Dotel has pitched primarily as a starter.
At Indianapolis this season, Dotel is 3-3 with a 5.32 ERA, 24 strikeouts and nine walks over 23 2/3 innings.
Mattson was 0-0 with a 4.12 ERA in 21 games. He had walked 10 with 15 strikeouts and had a 1.47 WHIP in 19 2/3 innings.
For his career, Dotel is 30-21 with a 4.20 ERA in the minors, starting 85 of his 101 games.
Dotel was recalled by the Pirates last month and made his MLB debut April 19 against Tampa Bay.
Over a three-game stint with the big-league club, he performed well out of the bullpen, posting a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four with three walks.